Information distributing method and system

ABSTRACT

When the amount of money billed each time the information is distributed once is determined depending on the number of times that the information is distributed within a predetermined time period, the intention of information offerer and the estimation of user reflects automatically on the amount of money billed when the information is distributed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information distributing method andsystem for distributing information subjected to billing.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, various kinds of information (hereinafter referred toas contents) circulate with the development of the so-called multimediaindustry. These contents are distributed by an information distributingservice (hereinafter referred to as service) using wirelesscommunication such as satellite communication as well as wiredcommunication such as CATV (Cable Television), internet and so on. Inthis service, a predetermined billing for the distributed contents iscarried out. The conventional service transmits music information andpicture information as a part of respective audio information and videoinformation to a user on a receiving side (hereinafter referred tomerely as user) in a prescribed format.

However, there are many cases were an amount of money billed for thesecontents is determined by the initial setting independently of user'sneed. User generally cannot know whether or not the distributed contentsare worthy of a bill until he is serviced. On the other hand,information distributors that distribute the contents tend to distributeto users the contents which seem to be in great demand withoutconsidering the quality of its substance and the like.

Therefore, such contents that have the good substance but are in smalldemand and the contents of those who have no ability to distribute suchinformation have no opportunity of being distributed to user. However,if such contents could be in conditions to be distributed, user might beat a loss if that contents are worthy of paying for the bill.

From these actual situations, prices and the like of the contentsthemselves in the past, for example, in the distribution of music, etc.have seldom been affected by an intention of information offerer (e.g.copyright holder) and an estimation of user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide aninformation distributing method and system by which the above problem issolved and in which when information subjected to billing isdistributed, an amount of money billed when information is distributedonce reflects automatically the intention of information offerer and theestimation of user.

The above object is accomplished, according to the present invention, byan information distributing method and system for distributinginformation subjected to billing, characterized in that an amount ofmoney billed every time the information is distributed once isdetermined depending on the number of times that the information isdistributed within a predetermined time period.

According to the above structure, when information subject to billing isdistributed, an amount of money billed every time the information isdistributed once is determined depending on the number of times that theinformation is distributed by distributing means within a predeterminedtime period. In short, depending on the number of times that theinformation is distributed, an amount of money to bill is determined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an imaginary diagram showing an information distributingsystem to which the information distributing method as the firstembodiment according to the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the outwardappearance of the transaction system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is block diagram showing an example of the detailed electricalstructure of the computer in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the billing process in theinformation distributing method as the first embodiment according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the billed amount by thebilling process in the information distributing method as the fourthembodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the billed amount by thebilling process in the information distributing method as the fifthembodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the billed amount according to the modifiedexamples of the billing process in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the billed amount by thebilling process in the information distributing method as the sixthembodiment according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred modes for carrying out the resent invention will be describedbelow in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In addition, because the following modes are preferred practicalembodiments according to the present invention, various technicallypreferable limitations are added thereto. However, a scope of thepresent invention is not restricted to these modes unless there is aparticular description to limit the present invention in the followingdescription.

Terms used in this description have, for example, the followingmeanings. “Contents” mean the substance of information to be distributed(It indicates audio information, video information, game information orbook information, or any combination of them, e.g. music information,picture information, game software or electronic book information, orany combination of them, respectively.). “Contents data (information)”mean data of contents to be distributed. “Information distributor(contents distributor)” means a corporation, etc. that distributes thecontents to user. “Information offerer(contents offerer)” means thosewho offer the contents to the information distributor. User 30 (home)”in FIG. 1 is shown as representative of a third party to whom thecontents are distributed from the information distributor. “Access”means that user refers to (view, listen to, etc.) or downloads thecontents from the information distributor. “Amount of transaction” meansan amount indicating a frequency of user's access to the informationdistributor.

A First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is an imaginary diagram showing an information distributingsystem to which the information distributing method as the firstembodiment according to the present invention is applied.

The information distributing system 200 (information distributingapparatus) is such a system that the contents which are held by thecontents providing corporation such as a broadcasting corporation 2 anda contents provider 4 are distributed to the home 30, e.g. throughinternet 6, cable 8, ground wave 10 or satellite wave 12 (BS(broadcasting Satellite), CS (Communication Satellite)). Here, thesecontents are information such as television program information (TV),radio broadcast contents (radio), moving picture, music, game, book,weather information, financial information, horse race information,digital picture, and photograph, or any combination of them. Thecontents are offered to the information distributor, e.g. from theinformation offerer.

In the user 30, connection terminals for connecting to the cable 8 andthe internet 6, a personal computer 20 (PC), an audio 18 as a musicreproducing apparatus, an antenna 22 and a parabola antenna 26 areconnected to a set-top box 14 (STB). The set-top box 14 connects theseequipments, etc., stores the contents data transmitted, e.g. through asignal line for a mass of fast data cable 8), the parabola antenna 26 orantenna 22, etc. and delivers that information to each equipment, etc.within the user 30.

The above described information distributing system 200 has atransaction system 1 for billing to each user 30 whenever thebroadcasting corporation 2 or the contents provider 4 distributes thepredetermined contents to the user 30. The transaction system 1 isimplemented, e.g. by a computer shown below.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an outward appearanceof the transaction system in FIG. 1. The transaction system 1 is, e.g. acomputer capable of fast processing It may be a so-called personalcomputer). The transaction system 1 is, e.g. a computer 21 as describedabove. The computer 21 comprises means to grasp distributing conditionsof the information distributor and receiving conditions of the user 30.The computer 21 has a body 21 a including a controller such as a centraloperational processing unit (CPU), a disk unit 13 installed in the body21 a, a pointing device 3, a display 5 and a keyboard 11.

The computer 21 comprises the disk unit 13 which can at least read out,e.g. information of an information recording medium 15. This informationrecording medium 15 is, e.g. a compact disk CD-ROM), a flexible disk(floppy disk) and so on.

FIG. 3 is a black diagram showing an example of a detailed electricalstructure of the computer in FIG. 2.

The computer 21 has the controller 9, the display 15, a memory 17, thedisk unit 13 and an external memory 19, and preferably the pointingdevice 3 and the keyboard 11.

The controller 9 is connected, e.g. to the display 5, the memory 17, thedisk unit 13, the external memory 19 and preferably to the pointingdevice 3 and the keyboard 11. The controller 9 controls each of theabove connected blocks. The controller 9 stores software in the externalmemory 19 such as a hard disk and executes it at need by making thememory 17 such as RAM (Random Access Memory) a work area.

The display 5 is a display unit such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or aliquid crystal display. The pointing device 3 is an operating means forthe computer 21 such as a mouse.

The keyboard 11 is an operating portion of the computer 21 provided foroperating the computer 21 instead of the pointing device 3, e.g. for alearner who is inexperienced in the pointing device 3. Additionally,because the transaction system 1 distributes the contents automatically,the keyboard 11 and pointing device 3 are dispensable in normaloperation.

The transaction system 1 has the above described structure and next themethod for distributing information for which the billing is performedwill be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a billing process in theinformation distributing method as the first embodiment according to thepresent invention. In the following description, a first referencenumber of distribution n is defined, e.g. as one thousand times and asecond reference number of distribution m is defined as ten thousandtimes. It is noted here that the transaction system 1 is such a systemthat, each time the number of distribution h reaches the fist referencenumber of distribution n and the second reference number of distributionm respectively, it alters the amount of money to bill (In thisdescription, referred to merely as billed amount) every time thedistribution is made once. The aforesaid first reference number ofdistribution n and second reference number of distribution m as well asa first rate, a second rate and a third rate described below can be setoptionally on the side of transaction system 1. Thus, they are describedbelow by way of example.

The transaction system 1 always counts the number of distribution h inwhich the contents are distributed by distributing means to the user 30from the broadcasting corporation 2 or the contents provider 4 as shownin FIG. 1 (step ST1). The distributing means includes, for example,wireless communication such as satellite communication and ground wavecommunication, wired communication such as cable communication andinternet, and postal service or the like. When the distributing means isthe postal service, for example, a predetermined operator inputs to thetransaction system 1 that the contents to be distributed has beenmailed. When the distributing means is other than the postal service,for example, predetermined software monitors that to count.

The transaction system 1 counts the number of times that the informationhas been distributed within a predetermined time period. As specificexamples of the above predetermined time period, the following timeperiod can be set respectively.

Preferably, the transaction system 1 counts the number of distribution h(amount of transaction) as the number of times that the information hasbeen distributed within a time period from a predetermined time pointsuch as a time point when some contents begin to be distributed to thecurrent time point. This makes it possible for the user 30 to estimatethe billed amount based on the total number of distribution (e.g. incase of CD (Compact Disk), etc. such as the total number of sold CD),e.g. within the above time period to acquire that contents. The abovedescribed “predetermined time point” may otherwise be set variously atthe beginning of the year, the beginning of the fiscal year, thebeginning of the month, the beginning of the week and so on.

Moreover, the transaction system 1 may preferably count the number ofdistribution h within a definite term (e.g. an hour, a day, a week, amonth or a year, etc.), e.g. from the redetermined time point. Thismakes it possible for the user 30 to acquire the contents afterestimating whether to acquire or not with reference to the billedamount, e.g. based on the total number of distribution per unit timeperiod (such as a hit chart of the week or the month) within theaforesaid term.

Furthermore, the transaction system 1 may preferably count the number ofdistribution h, e.g. from an optionally set time point to the currenttime point, the number of distribution h from a first optionally settime point to a second optionally set time point, or the number ofdistribution h for a definite term from an optionally set time point.

The time point to begin counting is, e.g. always set fluidly. This makesit possible for the distributor side to change appropriately the timepoint of beginning to a desired time, even if, for example, thepredetermined time point proves to be unsuitable. Also, it is possibleto set a special term (e.g. a bonus sale, a Christmas sale or acampaign, etc.) for controlling the billed amount. The user 30 canestimate the billed amount based on the total number of distribution perunit time period within this special term to acquire the contents.

Moreover, the transaction system 1 may preferably count the number ofdistribution h within a definite term, e.g. down to the current timepoint or the number of distribution h until the optionally set timepoint (e.g. twenty-four o'clock of the day before the current time pointor Sunday immediately before the current time point, etc.).

This makes it possible for the user 30 to estimate the billed amountbased on the total number of distribution h, e.g. for an immediatelyprior week, month or year to acquire the contents.

Furthermore, the transaction system 1 can, e.g. preferably prepare aplurality of the predetermined terms to control the billed amount in acomposite manner depending on the respective numbers of distribution h.Again, the transaction system 1 may be arranged so that the user canoptionally select one of the above plurality of predetermined terms.This enables the transaction system 1 to carry out the billing for thecontents based on various standards in addition to the above describedadvantages. Also, the user 30 can select his own favorite system ofbilling.

The transaction system 1 decides whether or not the number ofdistribution h reaches the first reference number of distribution n(step ST2). If no, the billed amount turns to the first rate step ST3).If yes, the next step ST4 will follow.

If it is reached, the transaction system 1 decides whether or not thenumber of distribution h reaches the second reference number ofdistribution m (step ST4). If no, the billed amount turns to the secondrate (step ST5). If yes, it turns to the third rate (step ST6).

Suppose here the first rate is zero yen, the second rate being onehundred yen, and the third rate being two hundred yen, if the number ofdistribution h is less than one thousand times, the transaction system 1bills zero yen; if the number of distribution h is one thousand or moretimes and less than ten thousand times, it bills one hundred yen; if itis ten thousand or more times, it bills two hundred yen. Therefore, thetransaction system 1 can make free of the billed amount while the numberof distribution h is small to open the contents more widely to thepublic. As the number of distribution h increases gradually, it an makelarger of the billed amount.

The user 30 acquires the billing information containing the billedamount thus determined and decides, e.g. whether to download or not thecontents data. The user 30, for example, when downloading, acquires fromthe information offerer a key for decoding a cipher applied to thecontents. The contents data is subjected to billing in reflection of thewill,.etc. of user 30 and distributed automatically to the user 30.

With the above described transaction system 1, when, for example, theinformation offerer who is not widely known in society hereinaftershortened to “nameless”) intends to make the contents widespread amongthe users 30 as a third party, if he makes the contents open freethrough the information distributor, he can provide an environment inwhich many of the users 30 can acquire the contents easily.

In other words, while the number of distribution h is small, the user 30cannot understand the degree of quality of the substance (contents) andis at a loss whether to pay for the bill, but he can easily accessbecause of being free. On the other hand, the information offerer canalso provide his own contents broadly to a third party.

Also, the user can understand that the contents of which the number ofdistribution h becomes large seem to be worthy of paying for the bill,so that he can easily decide whether to access the contents. On theother hand, when the number of distribution h exceeds the firstreference number of distribution n, the original object of opening thecontents to the public is accomplished and so the information offerercan gain a reward corresponding with the contents.

This enables the transaction system 1 to provide a new service, bycontrolling stepwise according to the magnitude of the number ofdistribution h, which controls the billing system that changes an amountof money to bill the user 30.

Because the transaction system 1 can control the price of contentsdepending on its amount of transacting, it can provide the contentsservice in accordance with the intention of information offerer. Anameless information offerer can bill in such a manner that, forexample, he distributes free the contents so that as many users 30 aspossible may access and when he becomes recognized to some extent (ifthe number of distribution h reaches the predetermined number)), hebegins to bill. It is possible that the user 30 pays the billed amountonly for the contents that is sure to be valuable enough.

Moreover, by using such transaction system 1, it is possible to enhancenot only an ambition to create the contents of famous informationofferers who are widely recognized in society, but also an ambition tocreate the contents of nameless information offerers.

The transaction system 1 gives the user 30 the following merit. Thedesired contents of the user 30 rise and fall in the billed amount, asdescribed above, depending on the number of distribution h within thepredetermined time period. Because the user 30 can previously know thebilled amount of desired contents, he can confirm that it is the billedamount corresponding to his desired contents before he acquires thatcontents.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the paycontents are distributed, an amount of money to bill for distributingthe contents once is determined depending on the number of times thatthe contents are distributed by distributing means within apredetermined time period. Therefore, by determining the billed amountfor distributing the contents once depending on the number of times thatthe contents are distributed by distributing means of the transactionsystem 1, the billed amount reflects the intention of the side ofdistributing the contents the broadcast corporation 2 or the contentsprovider 4) and the estimation of the distributed side (user 30). Thus,the transaction system 1 can automatically control the system of billedamount for the contents depending on the amount of transaction of thecontents or the amount of circulation thereof.

Consequently, it is possible to provide the information distributingmethod in which, when the pay contents are distributed, the billedamount for distributing the contents once automatically reflects theintention of contents' distributing side and the estimation of user.

A Second Embodiment

A transaction system 1 a as a second embodiment has the same structureas that of the transaction system 1 as the first embodiment shown inFIG. 1 to FIG. 3 with respect to parts denoted by reference numerals,and so only a different point will be described.

The transaction system 1 a differs from the transaction system 1 in away of controlling the billed amount. Although the transaction system 1adopts the stepwise control that the billed amount is controlledstepwise as the controlling method of billed amount, the transactionsystem 1 a controls using a function hereinafter referred to as afunction control) for controlling the billed amount.

The transaction system 1 a utilizes a function to determine the billedamount relative to the number of distribution h, for example, as aformula (1).Billed amount [yen]=M [0, log h−2.5]×100   (1)

Here, M [a, b] expresses a larger value of numerical values a and b. Inthe transaction system 1 a, for example, if the number of distribution his one hundred times, the billed amount is set to be zero yen; if thenumber of distribution h is one thousand times, the billed amount is setto be fifty yen; if the number of distribution h is ten thousand times,the billed amount is set to be one hundred and fifty yen; and if thenumber of distribution h is one hundred thousand times, the billedamount is set to be two hundred and fifty yen.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, it ispossible to show the merit of the first embodiment as well as to makefiner control of the billed amount because the way of controlling thebilled amount is not the stepwise control but the function control.

A Third Embodiment

A transaction system 1 b as a third embodiment has the same structure asthat of the transaction system 1 as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1to FIG. 3 with respect to parts denoted by reference numerals, and soonly a different point will be described.

The transaction system 1 b differs from the transaction system 1 in theway of controlling the billed amount. Although the transaction system 1adapts the stepwise control that the billed amount is controlledstepwise as the controlling method of billed amount, the transactionsystem 1 b performs a function control different from that of the secondembodiment to control the billed amount.

The transaction system 1 b utilizes a function to determine the billedamount P relative to the number of distribution h, for example, as aformula (2).Billed amount P [yen]=800/log h   (2)

In the transaction system 1 b, for example, if the number ofdistribution h is ten thousand or less times, the billed amount P isfixed to be two hundred yen irrespective of the formula (2); if thenumber of distribution h exceeds ten thousand times, the billed amount Pis determined according to the formula (2). If the number ofdistribution h is ten thousand or more times and less than one hundredthousand times, the billed amount P is set between two hundred yen andone hundred and sixty yen; if the number of distribution h is onehundred thousand or more times and less than one million times, thebilled amount P is set between one hundred and sixty yen and one hundredand thirty-three yen. In addition, the function control of thetransaction system 1 b as the third embodiment may be used together withthe function control of the transaction system 1 a as the secondembodiment.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, it ispossible not only to show the merit of the first embodiment, but also tocommunicate further widely the contents which were a hit enough (oftenaccessed) to the world because the billed amount is made lower as thenumber of distribution h increases.

A Fourth Embodiment

A transaction system 1 c as a fourth embodiment has the same structureas that of the transaction system 1 as the first embodiment shown inFIG. 1 to FIG. 3 with respect to parts denoted by reference numerals,and so only a different point will be described.

The transaction system 1 c differs from the transaction system 1 in theway of controlling the billed amount. Although the transaction system 1adopts the stepwise control that the billed amount is controlledstepwise as the controlling method of billed amount, the transactionsystem 1 c performs, in addition to this method, a function controldifferent from these of the second embodiment and the third embodimentto control the billed amount.

The transaction system 1 c utilizes a function to determine the billedamount P relative to the number of distribution h, for example, asformulas (3.1) to (3.4).0≦h<1000 P=0   (3.1)1000≦h<10000 p=(h−1000)/45   (3.2)10000≦h<100000 P=200   (3.3)100000≦h P=150   (3.4)

In the transaction system 1 c, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, if thenumber of distribution h is less than one thousand times, the billedamount P is zero (formula (3.1)); if the number of distribution h is onethousand or mare times and less than ten thousand times, the billedamount P is determined according to a function as formula (3.2); if thenumber of distribution h is ten thousand or more times and less than onehundred thousand times, the billed amount P is set to be two hundred yen(formula (3.3)); if the number of distribution h is one hundred thousandor more times, the billed amount P is set to be one hundred and fiftyyen (formula (3.4). In formula (3.2), a coefficient may be selected tobe not only [ 1/45] but also, e.g. [ 1/30] or may be selected dependingon past actual results.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, it ispossible not only to display the merit of the first embodiment, but alsoto make appropriate control of the billed amount based on the pastactual results, a market survey, etc. because the stepwise control iscombined with the function control.

A Fifth Embodiment

A transaction system 1 d as a fifth embodiment has the same structure asthat of the transaction system 1 as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1to FIG. 3 with respect to parts denoted by reference numerals, and soonly a different point will be described.

The transaction system 1 d differs from the transaction system 1 in theway of controlling the billed amount. Although the transaction system 1adopts the stepwise control that the billed amount is controlledstepwise as the controlling method of billed amount, the transactionsystem 1 d performs, in addition to this method, a function controldifferent from the second embodiment to the fourth embodiment to controlthe billed amount.

The transaction system 1 d utilizes a function to determine the billedamount P relative to the number of distribution h, for example, asformula (4.1) to formula (4.3).0≦h<2000 P=0   (4.1)2000≦h<12000 P=√h−2000   (4.2)12000≦h P=200   (4.3)

In the transaction system 1 d, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, if thenumber of distribution h is less than two thousand times, the billedamount P is zero (formula (4.1); if the number of distribution h is twothousand or more times and less than twelve If thousand times, thebilled amount P is determined according to the function as formula(4.2); if the number of distribution h is twelve thousand or more times,the billed amount P is fixed to be two hundred yen (formula (4.3)). Informula (4.2), a coefficient of the function where the number ofdistribution h is two thousand or more times and less than twelvethousand times may be selected to be not only [2] but also, e.g. [3] ormay be selected depending on past actual results.

Also, the transaction system 1 d may be arranged so that, until thebilled amount becomes fixed as in the case where the number ofdistribution h is twelve thousand or more times, it may be controlled tobecome the square of the number of distribution h from a certain timepoint as shown in (A) of FIG. 7, or it may be controlled in a mannerthat the billed amount rises smoothly from a point where the number ofdistribution h equals zero as shown in (B) of FIG. 7. That is, thetransaction system 1 d may be arranged so that the control such as (A)of FIG. 7 or (B) of FIG. 7 can be selected.

According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, it ispossible not only to show the merit of the first embodiment, but also tomake appropriate control of the billed amount based on past actualresults, a market survey, etc. in the same way as the fourth embodiment.

A Sixth Embodiment

A transaction system 1 e as a sixth embodiment has the same structure asthat of the transaction system 1 as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1to FIG. 3 with respect to parts denoted by reference numerals, and soonly a different point will be described.

The transaction system 1 e differs from the transaction system 1 in theway of controlling the billed amount. Although the transaction system 1adopts the stepwise control that the billed amount is controlledstepwise as the controlling method of billed amount, the transactionsystem 1 e performs, in addition to this method, a function controldifferent from the second embodiment to the fifth embodiment to controlthe billed amount.

The transaction system 1 e utilizes a function to determine the billedamount relative to the number of distribution h, for example, as formula(5.1) to formula (5.5). In this case, it is assumed that a termconcerning the number of distribution h is shorter than that, e.g. usedin the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment (e.g. a day).0≦h<10 P=h²   (5.1)10≦h<50 P=100+2*(h−10)   (5.2)50≦h<150 P=180+(h−50)   (5.3)150≦h<1150 P=280+0.1*(h−150)   (5.4)1150≦h P=380   (5.5)

In the transaction system 1 e, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, if thenumber of distribution h is less than ten times, the billed amount is asquare of the number of distribution h (formula (5.1)); if the number ofdistribution h is ten or more times and less than fifty times, thebilled amount is determined as shown in formula (5.2); if the number ofdistribution h is fifty or more times and less than one hundred andfifty times, the billed amount is determined as shown in formula (5.3);if the number of distribution h is one hundred and fifty or more timesand less than one thousand, one hundred and fifty times, the billedamount is determined as shown in formula (5.4); if the number ofdistribution h is one thousand, one hundred and fifty or more times, thebilled amount is fixed to be three hundred and eighty yen (formula(5.5)).

According to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, it ispossible not only to display the merit of the first embodiment, but alsoto make appropriate control of the billed amount based on past actualresults, a market survey, etc. in the same way as the fourth embodimentand the fifth embodiment.

Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to the abovedescribed embodiments.

In the description of the aforesaid embodiments, the transaction system1 can reduce the billed amount by regrading an investment in thecontents as recovered when the number of distribution h reaches apredetermined number of times. This enables the contents to be providedfor still more users 30. Moreover, if the transaction system 1 uses thenumber of distribution h per time and raises the billed amount as thenumber of distribution h increases, the access for distribution can beshifted to a time zone when the contents are easy to be acquired.Therefore, the transaction system 1 can relax line's congestion to anaverage level.

Furthermore, in the foregoing description, although the number ofdistribution h is divided by the predetermined reference number of timesto determine the billed amount P, these are able to be set optionally.

In addition, the way of controlling to determine the billed amount ofthe transaction system 1 may be arranged so that the plurality of waysof controlling the billed amount in each of the aforesaid embodimentsare combined. For example, the first embodiment can be combined with thesixth embodiment. In this case, it will be sufficient to use thecumulative number of distribution h1 on one hand and the daily number ofdistribution h2 on the other hand and determine the billed amount byadding them and dividing into halves.

The transaction system 1 may, for example, be constructed by thesoftware and recorded in the information recording medium 15 shown inFIG. 2. Also, the transaction system 1 may be included in theinformation distributor.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possibleto provide the information distributing method in which, wheninformation subjected to billing is distributed, the amount of moneybilled when information is distributed once reflects automatically theintention of information offerer and the estimation of user.

Having described preferred embodiments of the present invention withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments andthat various changes and modifications can be effected therein by oneskilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of thepresent invention as defined in the appended claims.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. An electronic information distributing method fordistributing information subjected to billing in an electronicinformation distributing system by using wireless communication or wiredcommunication, the method comprising the steps of: distributing saidinformation to a user; counting the number of times said information ispreviously distributed to at least one user within a predetermined timeperiod; and determining an amount of money for a subsequent distributionas a function of the number of previous distributions counted, each saidamount of money for distribution determined independently for each timesaid information is distributed.
 23. The electronic informationdistributing method according to claim 22, further comprising the stepsof: receiving information transferred for a plurality of externalapparatuses; storing received information in a storage medium; anddistributing information among received information at said receivingstep.
 24. The electronic information distributing method according toclaim 22, wherein said time period is one selected from a predeterminedtime to a current time.
 25. The electronic information distributingmethod according to claim 22, wherein said time period is a definiteterm from a predetermined time.
 26. The electronic informationdistributing method according to claim 22, wherein said time period isone from an optionally set time point to a current time point.
 27. Theelectronic information distributing method according to claim 22,wherein said time period is one from a first optionally set time pointto a second optionally set time point.
 28. The electronic informationdistributing method according to claim 22, wherein said time period is adefinite term from an optionally set time point.
 29. The electronicinformation distributing method according to claim 22, wherein said timeperiod is a definite term to the current time point.
 30. The electronicinformation distributing method according to claim 22, wherein said timeperiod is an optionally set time point.
 31. The electronic informationdistributing method according to claim 22, wherein when said number oftimes of distribution reaches a previously set number of times or more,said amount of money billed for said information is increased.
 32. Theelectronic information distributing method according to claim 22,wherein when said number of times of distribution reaches a previouslyset number of times or more, said amount of money billed for saidinformation is decreased.
 33. An electronic information distributingapparatus for distributing information by using wireless communicationor wired communication, the apparatus comprising: a distributorconfigured to distribute said information to a user; a counterconfigured to count the number of times said information is previouslydistributed to at least one user within a predetermined time period; anda determining unit configured to determine an amount of money for asubsequent distribution as a function of the number of previousdistributions counted, each said amount of money for distributiondetermined independently for each time said information is distributed.34. The electronic information distributing apparatus according to claim33, further comprising: a receiver configured to receive informationtransferred from a plurality of external apparatuses; and a controllerconfigured to control to store received information in a storage medium,wherein said distributor distributes information among receivedinformation.
 35. The electronic information distributing apparatusaccording to claim 33, wherein said time period is one selected from apredetermined time to a current time.
 36. The electronic informationdistributing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said time periodis a definite term from a predetermined time.
 37. The electronicinformation distributing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein saidtime period is one from an optionally set time point to a current timepoint.
 38. The electronic information distributing apparatus accordingto claim 33, wherein said time period is one from a first optionally settime point to a second optionally set time point.
 39. The electronicinformation distributing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein saidtime period is a definite term from an optionally set time point. 40.The electronic information distributing apparatus according to claim 33,wherein said time period is a definite term to the current time point.41. The electronic information distributing apparatus according to claim33, wherein said time period is an optionally set time point.
 42. Theelectronic information distributing apparatus according to claim 33,wherein when said number of times of distribution reaches a previouslyset number of times or more, said amount of money billed for saidinformation is increased.
 43. The electronic information distributingapparatus according to claim 33, wherein when said number of times ofdistribution reaches a previously set number of times or more, saidamount of money billed for said information is decreased.